Current thoughts: Canon 85mm 1.8 vs Canon 100 2.8

<p>I'll be shooting in poorly lit basketball courts with a 20D and would love to get a faster, light-weight lens. I move around alot and have great access on the court. A prior/old posting talks about these but not in relation to shooting sports.<br>

The cost of the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 is about double the 85mm, but I do a lot of portrait work so the additional usage is a consideration.<br>

Any and all comments are so appreciated.<br>

Robin</p>

<p>There are actually a number of threads re: sports photography and low light. Possible choices include (but are not limited to):<br>

50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2, & 135mm f/2 depending on your needs.</p>

<p>Example discussion on 85mm f/1.8 vs 100 f/2 for basketball:<br>

http://www.photo.net/sports-photography-forum/00IUyn</p>

 

<p>I remembere reading several threads about the 85 1.8. Not sure if Canon or Nikon specific, but was a lens often used for volleyball. I've been using the Nikon for a couple of yrs and very happy with it.<br>

for behind/near the basket backboard a short zoom which includes 35mm wold be good, or just a 35 prime. I have used a Tamron 17-50 2.8. Other than the 85, I've been using the Signa 70-200 2.8. Just bought the new Nikon with VRII so can't wait to use that. The 85 is good from the corners shooting layups. Generally I find the 85 limiting in basketball. Just my opinion!<br>

the 85 is supposed to be great for portraits, esp since with the non-full frame bodies you have the crop factor which sort of makes it 'longer'. I think the 100 & 135 lenses were often used on film bodies.</p>

<p>another thing Robin the 1.8 aperture is sure better than 2.8. Just figure out what your DOF is at 1.8 or 2.0 at varying distances. 1.8 maybe too short to use with 2-3 heads, hands and a basketball in the same frame.</p>

<p>I have both the 85/1.8 and the 100/<em><strong>2.8</strong></em>.<br>

Comparing the two lenses you mention the <em><strong>Canon 100/2.8</strong></em> would <em><strong>definitely NOT</strong></em> be a lens I would choose for basketball. The 85 is only 15mm shorter but more than a stop faster and I think the AF of the 100/2.8 could drive you nuts. <br>

In the event that you mis-typed and you mean the 100/2 then that is a very nice sports lens.</p>

<p>The Canon 100/2.8 is a fantastic Portrait Lens, but I find it a little too long for general portraiture on a 20D - I use my 85/1.8 more on an APS-C Camera for Portraits - though FL for Portraits is flexible and a matter of taste. I find the 100/2.8 a marvellous Portrait Lens on my 5D.</p>

<p>The selection the FL of a Prime Lens for BBall is mainly dependent upon where your vantage point will be and whether you can move or not.<br>

The selection of a zoom lens for BBall will mainly be dependent upon whether there is enough light to be able to use F/2.8 and the maximum ISO.<br>

You mention that you have both access and freedom of movement – in this a case a SHORTER FL than an 85mm lens would be my choice because as you increase the FL of the lens, the farther away from the action you need to be and that means the circumference of the arc you need to move to get the better angle is greater – hence you need to move more and more quickly.</p>

<p>On a 20D: Shooting a Full Length Shot (Vertical Framing) you will have about the thickness of one body (the face and the leading shoulder) as your DoF when using F/1.8. (just over 12 inches) <br>

F/2.8 ensures about 24inches DoF, plus or minus a bit for a Full Length Shot - but if you do not have enough Light / ISO to pull the necessary Tv for the action, then eventually you will need to decide:<br>

Shallow DoF and Freeze - or Movement Blur and better DoF? </p>

<p>WW </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Many thanks to all for responding. I bit the bullet and got the 85mm and get to test it out this Friday. My learning curve will be shortened thanks to you all.<br>

Robin</p>

<p>One suggestion I might make is that when you are trying to decide between lens, rent them and try them first. In Southern California we can rent from Samys for 20 to 35 for an entire weekend. I just rented a EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS to shoot my daughters performance of the Nutcracker. Very tough conditions (worse than shooting in a well lit gym) but it pulled it off. I don't have 2k plus to buy this lens but renting it for $35 from 3 pm on a Friday to 11 am on Monday is a great deal.<br>

Next time I will try something like a prime lens in the 1.x range instead and zoom with my feet.</p>

 

<p>Great suggestion, Ed! Thanks.</p>